Dean's Message

Dear friends, fellow service members, and community members,

Since our founding in Tangshan, Nanjing, following the end of World War II in 1945, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital has traversed a remarkable journey — relocating across the Taiwan Strait, establishing our permanent home at the present site on Zhongzheng 1st Road in Kaohsiung in 1977, and inaugurating the new Military Medical Building with its rooftop helipad in 2013. Over more than 80 years, we have witnessed the evolution of the military medical system and built an enduring bond with the people of southern Taiwan.

Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital carries a dual mission. As the designated medical facility for the 4th Theater Command, we are responsible for combat casualty care, military medical training, and medical support for outlying islands including Dongsha, Nansha, and Matsu. At the same time, we serve as a vital regional healthcare institution in the greater Kaohsiung area, safeguarding the health of millions of residents. "Military-civilian unity" has never been merely a slogan — it is our daily practice. Here, uniformed service members and civilian patients receive equally dedicated care under the same roof. This is the most distinctive and precious value of a military hospital.

In the face of a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, we must not only preserve the foundation laid by our predecessors but also embrace innovation. The hospital is actively integrating smart healthcare technologies, from information system optimization to clinical workflow digital transformation, with the goal of providing every patient with a safer and more efficient medical experience. We continue to advance toward Medical Center accreditation, strengthening critical care capabilities and developing geriatric medicine and long-term care integration to address the pressing needs of southern Taiwan's aging society. The driving force behind these efforts remains our unwavering commitment to "optimizing medical services and safeguarding military and civilian health."

Through years of clinical and administrative experience, I have come to deeply appreciate that the core of healthcare has always been about people. Every citizen and service member who walks through the doors of 802 deserves our proactive and dedicated service. Whether it is a word of comfort at the bedside, patient listening and candid conversation in the consultation room, or our commitment to quality and timeliness throughout the care process — everything we do is to protect the dignity and health of every life. Identifying needs proactively and responding with initiative is what I expect of every member of our team.

We value the professional growth of every colleague, encouraging advanced studies, supporting academic research, from the training of clinical military physicians to the cultivation of specialists and the refinement of interdisciplinary teamwork. Safety, Professionalism, Compassion, and Excellence — these four core values are not just words on a wall; they must be internalized in the daily work of every member of the 802 family.

I envision Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital becoming the preferred quality hospital for military personnel and civilians in southern Taiwan, and a trusted guardian of health for all. This trust stems from our commitment to professionalism, our compassion for patients, and our relentless pursuit of excellence.

Welcome to 802. Let us care for your health with all our heart.